Article: Rethinking Classroom Observation

Rethinking Classroom Observation 

My takeaways from this article: 

1. Observations are based on an observees questions about their OWN practice. 
2. Observation make use of the following data: Scripting, counting, tracking. 
3. best case scenarios involve more than one observer using a combination of the data gathering methods. 
4. Observations should be teacher driven. The observee is in control. 

Ted Talk: Increase your self-awareness with one simple fix.

The principal at my school shared this video with me. It's excellent and I agree with the speaker Tasha Eurich.

My take away from watching this video:
When self examining/reflecting, change the word 'why' with 'what.' This has one effective impact, it changes the nature of the reflection from being supremely internal to external.

With the internal downward spiral:

1. We wrestle with our invisible selves. 
2. We find answers the 'seem right' but may not be, 
3. We go into a mode of potential self destruction, 
4. We make it all about us. 

as Tasha in the video says: 

1. Thinking about ourselves isn't knowing ourselves,
2. No matter how hard we try, we can't excavate our unconscious selves.
3. It leads us away from our true nature,

With the external upward spiral: 

1. Find real tangible solutions, 
2. Our problem solving becomes pragmatic. 
3. It helps the reflector glean insights that are actionable. 

Growth Coaching: Pre-Observation, Observation and Post Observation Conversation.

Session time: 3:00 - 5:00 on Wednesday  1st August. 

Our challenge at the moment is integrating Growth Coaching with Teaching as Inquiry. In this post I will particularly be looking at how we can use teacher observations (in the context of Growth Coaching) as a tool to support teachers in moving forward with their inquiry. Something that is a particular challenge for me is perfecting the art of designing an observation that will best meet the needs of the teacher to help them move forward in their individual inquiry. There! I said it!

The following is my current understanding: 

Pre-Observation Conversation: 

Purpose: To get the focus of the observation, to determine the time of the observation and establish the role of the observer and teacher in the observation.

Observation: 

Gather data: By scripting, counting, tracking.

Post Observation Conversation:

This should lead into a growth coaching conversation at its conclusion. Remember to have a coach/coachee talking ratio at 20:80. This last one of these I did was 40:60. I'm getting better but I'm still not good enough. The coach must not 'feedback' but rather invite the coachee to reflect, examine the data and develop next steps. 

Please refer to image: